Georges Kiamuangana was born in Kisantu, Bas-Congo on 19 May 1944. He took the name Verckys after being impressed with American sax player King Curtis and he heard the name "Curtis" as "Verckys." He started out in 1962 with Los Cantina, then Jamel Jazz. He joined Paul Ebengo a.k.a. Dewayon's Congo-Rock before joining OK Jazz in 1963 with some musicians from the band of Gerard Kazembe: Christophe Djali, trumpet, singer Henriette Boranzima and Dele Pedro. Georges became Franco's right-hand man and delighted audiences with his onstage antics and wild clothes. But when Franco was away in Europe in 1968 he took a splinter group with vocalist Youlou Mabiala into the studio to cut four sides, causing an irreparable rift. On 5 April 1969 he left OK Jazz to form Orchestra Vévé. The original singers of his group were Bovic Bondo, along with three who would later form the Trio Madjesi, Marcel Loko Massengo a.k.a. Djeskain, Sinatra Bonga Tsekabu a.k.a. Saak Saakul, and Mario Matadidi. Verckys started recording with a more stripped-down sound than OK Jazz, which gave him ample room for wild sax solos in the seben. His original band included Danila on solo guitar, Jim on bass, and veteran Maproco alongside himself on sax. He adopted Dr Nico's dance the Kiri Kiri and invented the Cavacha which was a precursor of Soukous. His first hits were "Mfumbwa" and "Bankoko baboyi" along with Saakul's "Fifi Solange." (These songs were reissued as 45s on the Ngoma label J 5241 and J 5242.) "Ah mokili" and "Linga ngai zuwa te" soon followed. With an unerring ear for quality, he recorded and produced Les Grands Maquisards, Orchestre Kiam, Bella Bella, Lipua Lipua, Les Kamale and Empire Bakuba, the most interesting bands to come up in his generation. He also recorded Thu Zaina (whose guitarist Roxy played on some Vévé recordings), Victoria Eleison and Zaiko Langa Langa. His label defined the new sound of Congolese music as it evolved away from the rumbas of the Generation Kalle to a more exciting dance sound. His singers [below] were so popular they broke away in 1972 to form Trio Ma-dje-si with their own band Orchestre Sosoliso and, recording for Socodi in Brazzaville, remained one of the top bands of the day.

With help from Roger Izeidi, young Georges, only 25, established a studio on Avenue Eyala, in Kasa-Vubu, Kinshasa. Vercky's early 70s recordings were collected on some LPs on the Sonodisc label, and his mid-career output as a producer appeared in a great 9-volume series Les Grands Succès des Editions Vévé on the Sonafric label, which featured many of the hits produced in his studio by Vévé and other bands such as Lipua Lipua, Les Kamale, Orchestre Kiam, and Zaiko Langa Langa. In 1972 he recruited Pepe Kalle and Nyboma, two youngsters from Bella Bella, to sing "Sola," "Mbuta" and "Kamale." He started orchestres Lipua Lipua and Kiam, named for himself. Their first hits were "Yoyowe" and "Masumi." He rented equipment to Nyboma and Lipua Lipua who recorded "Amba," "Mombasa" and "Niki bue," but as soon as they were established they quit Verckys' label and regrouped as Orchestre Les Kamale. On his visit to Kinshasa James Brown dubbed him "Mister Dynamite"! He founded Editions Vévé in 1974. In 1976 he changed the name of his label to ZADIS (for "Zaire disc"). That year he issued "Papy Baluti" & "Muana Mburu" written by Francis Bitsoumani a.k.a. Celi Bitsou. The line-up at this time was Tino Muinkwa, Djo Roy, Nejos Tusevo, Pepitho Fukiau on vocals, Lambion on solo guitar, Aladji Baba on rhythm guitar, Ndolo & Celi Bitsou on bass, Bayard on drums, Ponta Vickys on congas, himself, Dibuidi and Sax Matalanza on saxes and Makamba on trombone. But after the success of "Muana Mburu," Celi Bitsou quit to go solo.

Verckys retired from performing to concentrate on his nightclub, his shop ZADIS on Place Victoire, his label, and promotion. His Vévé Center became the hot spot for Grand Zaiko Wa Wa, Langa Langa Stars, Victoria Eleison, Mbonda Africa, Afro International, Wenge Musica and other groups. In 1978 he recorded young sensation Koffi Olomide. In 1980 Verckys came out of retirement to release some new albums on the Vévé International label in Paris with his backing band also renamed Vévé International. Vocalist Diatho Lukoki was supported by Sonama, Michel Sax, along with Djo Mpoyi and Dizzy Mandjeku, formerly of OK Jazz (who quit to return to Franco). Luciana quit Viva la Musica to replace Djo Mpoy for three months. Later members included Elba Kuluma, Serge Lemvo, Asi Kapela, Rochesi and Lawi. Verckys was elected president of the Congolese Musicians Union in 1988. In 2008 Verckys was in hospital in Brussels for leg operations soon after completing a new album COUP DE MARTEAU.

The smash hit "Mfumbwa" kicks off both sides of the LP (so you can flip it over for the genuine A-side, B-side pause and effect). Track 3, "Bolingo ya Bomuana," and "Marie Sango" were selected for Sono CD36599. "Loboko," a kiri-kiri by Djeskain was added to Dynamite Verckys (Sono LP360 016), but none of the other tracks was later anthologized.

These early efforts sounds like OK Jazz vocals and African Fiesta guitars. But "Mama Djele" (which was collected on RETRO 15CD) really stands out. The original album came out on Ngoma, I would guess in the late 60s.

Originally released on Ngoma (with sides reversed). The Sonafric title "Vebaka Serment" is a typo for "Yebaka Serment" as is usual. The lovelorn ballad by Bovic is weird: warbly vocals over acoustic guitar as the singer starts to break down, all a bit overdone. "Restes avec moi," "Vincent," & "Mobutu dix ans" also appear on l'Afrique Danse no 11. "Marcello Tozongana" was anthologized on DYNAMITE VERCKYS CD & the Rough Guide CD CONGO GOLD (RGNET1200) in February 2008.

The opening track, "Ah mokili," could pass for OK Jazz, despite the Kiri Kiri rhythm. There's even a two-part harmony sax lead of the kind Verckys used to play with Isaac Musekiwa. "Yeba olekaki ngai" is more in the African Fiesta style (Bovick Bondo "Shamar" had sung & played bass with African Fiesta from 1967-8), with a jagged guitar lead. The Mombetta rhythm used in "Mfumbwa" chugs along and here the saxes set up the counterpoint to the mi-solo guitar. It's a blisteringly great cut. The "B" side starts out auspiciously with a great riff that sounds like a breakdown and some honking, as if they jumped into the song at the bridge. This band excels at that transitional moment where everyone riffs and no one knows where the song is going. Usually Verckys takes the opportunity to throw down some stellar sax. The outro of "Est-ce que nakobala" captures this spontaneous excitement perfectly. (This jam, "Nakokoka ata botongi" and "Mfumbwa" were selected for Sono CD36599.) "Naboyi nkasa" is another Kiri Kiri. We return to rumba congolaise for the final track.

Just as dynamite as the preceding selection. "Mikolo Mileki Mingi" & "Bilobela" are both outstanding. "Fifi" was also a hit in West Africa (it appeared on a Stars from Zaire compilation). "Mikolo Mileki Mingi," "Baluti," "Bilobela" & "Nakoma juste" are all on CD 8478. The first three are collected on RETRO 15CD. Bitshoumanou is better known as Celi Bitsshou.

My favourite Vercky's ballad "Nakomitunaka" appears here and stacks up favorably against four of the best from Les Grands Maquisards, a band that featured Ntesa Dalienst who broke away from Mangwana in Festival de Maquisards in 1969 to start Les Grands Maquisards. The exquisite "Nakomitunaka," recorded in 1972 and featuring the young Pepe Kalle on vocals along with José Bébé, is on CD36599. Last two Maquisards' cuts on Ngoyarto CD NG078. One oddity: "N'dia" is a note perfect cover of a Rex Lawson song with new Lingala lyrics.

Obscure issue on the SonoDisc African label; "Olingi nakufa" was also on SAF50080; Zaiko's "Onassis" was the lead-off track on their Mété la verité album. Interesting that it includes Bella Bella's track "Lipua Lipua" which led to that band's creation and then Lipua Lipua's "Kamale," which in turn led to the formation of Les Kamale (that song is included on CD36567). "Sola" can he found on Ngoyarto NG030CD. "Massamba" written by Dilu Dilumona can be found on Sono CD36539.

Note: "Sakumuna" was the title of a hit by Verckys, which he took for a new label name. It would be great to know the personnel on these albums, even a picture of a dancing couple would have helped indicate that it is smoking hot, but then this is Sonodisc, so what do you expect? A lame abstract cover with only song titles and the further information that it is in Mono!
A seething cauldron of mid-70s Verckys productions: Kiam, Kamale, Lipua Lipua and Vévé, along with the obscure Orchestre Kamavasty. The latter was the title of a hit for orch Bella-Bella, so we must assume it was a Bella Bella offshoot. Lovely Nyboma vocals (on Echoplex) soaring over it all. Great sax solos; pounding bass, guitar and drums reminiscent of the East African sound on a few tracks. "Mikolo Mileki Mingi" made it to CD8478 & RETRO 15CD. "Assana Muana Mawa" from Grands Succès vol 9, appeared with the rest of the B-side on CD36567, which true to Sonodisc form retains the glitch at 5 minutes in when they cut from the A side to the B side with a crude edit.

Notes: a screw-up in production means (at least) two tracks were switched or mis-labeled. Side A track 1 is "Engunduka" by Orch Engunduka. And Side B track 1 is "Ngaseme-ngaseme" by Orch Kamale. The Orch Kamale track is described as "folk soum en Lingala," sung by Danos Canta [i.e Nyboma]. Sax-player Matalanza was the leader of Orchestre Engunduka. These are the only three tracks I have heard by this group but they are solid jamming and a great lead-off to the series: Verckys would respond to another group led by a wild saxophonist. The tracks are mostly described as "pasola" which is a euphemism for straight-ahead rocking Congolese rumba with big horn arrangements. Adoyo on AfricAmbiance forum writes they were probably "nzonzing," i.e. a studio jam band, & he says they featured Les Trois M: Sax Matalanza, Tino Muinkwa & Djo Roy Matuti.

Note: At the risk of sounding like a stuck record, I must say this is hot. Great sax, speedy drumming, wonderful harmony singing. Lipua Lipua namecheck the band on "Bongisa maloba." Odd as it may seem the mi-solo by Vata Mombassa is also really stunning. "Bassala hot" is a Nigerian-style funk track in English.
(Note: "Bamo Kangi" by Kiam was also called "Kamiki" and was released as a 45 on Sakumuna under that name.)

"Masua" or "Maswa" is anthologized on Sono CD36567, as well as the King Jimmy comp Nyboma & Lipwa Lipwa Greatest Hits vol 2; "Essous Spiritou" by Mujos & African Team is on Sono CD36543, while his "Monsieur L'Argent" can be found on CD36570.

Possibly Verckys' greatest discovery, Zaiko were a youth band who, ironically, gave up on horns and started a musical revolution that swept Zaire and then the rest of the world. They re-recorded "Kin kiesse" in Japan on one of their world tours; it is typical of their high-energy approach (It is also the name of one of the second Lipua Lipua's vocalists). "Makoko" was collected on the CD "Mbeya mbeya." "Toli ya kulu mpe" which was anthologized several times, was on CD36547 credited to Yoka Lokole (M'Fui Muane was also in Orchestre Kiam).

Notes: "Bilobela" is exceptional because of the trombone part by Makamba; it was collected on 2 Sonodisc productions & RETRO 15CD. The other three tracks are fine Kamale numbers with Nyboma in good voice.

A new band who apparently quit the boss after making this album.
[Info from Frank Wouters]

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Part Two: Vévé productions with other bands

Orchestre Bella Bella

The early career of Bella Bella is marked by many sparkling and wonderful performances and the group gave rise to some of the greatest artists ever to emerge from the Congo, including Pepe Kalle of Empire Bakuba and Nyboma of Les Quatre Etoiles. The core of the group was two brothers Soki Vangu (Christian name Maxim) and Soki Dianzenza (Christian name Emile), who was seven years younger. Hailing from Boma, in Bas-Zaire, Soki Vangu started out singing for Negro Succès of Bavon Marie-Marie. He created Bella Bella with Shaba Kahamba, the incredibly talented bass player, in 1970. They had their own label, Editions Bella Bella and recorded in many formations and for several producers including Verckys. Verckys signed them in 1971 and, according to Gary Stewart, by June 1972 they had four songs in the top ten simultaneously! (Ngoyarto issued a 4 or 5 CD retrospective of their productions; I am vague about the number because they decided to reissue it and improve the quality of one or two tracks, taken from scratched 45s, after its initial publication. Having bought the original set many fans were disappointed with Ngoyarto for their slackness on this series). After many tussles, teenage Soki Dianzenza quit and the group soon fragmented. The younger of the Soki brothers created Super Bella Bella which was a flop and then had more success with Bella Mambo Renove, which featured Dino Vangu on lead guitar. But the fans didn't notice the absence of Emile as Verckys drafted vocalists Pepe Kalle and Nyboma into their front ranks. But Maxim quit Verckys to reform with his brother so Nyboma, Pepe Kalle, and guitarist Kinzunga Ricos regrouped as Lipua Lipua. Bella Bella's reunion was a huge success and they were named band of the year, dethroning Zaiko, in 1974. They lasted for 20 years under the elder Soki brother's direction with serious sibling rivalry seeing Dianzenza soon return to Bella Mambo, now with Kanda Bongo Man on vocals and Diblo Dibala on lead guitar (they would later join Bella Bella in 1979 before Kanda went solo). Soki Vangu's death in 1990 was followed two weeks later by that of his brother. (Info from Gary Stewart's book, Rumba on the River)

Two of the early albums produced by Verckys of this magnificent group which balances the wonderful vocals of Kabaselle Yampagna a.k.a. Pepe Kalle and Matolu Dode a.k.a. Papy Tex and Dilu Mona, with fierce guitars from Doris & Boeing 707. Despite their crazy on-stage antics (featuring their dancing dwarf Emauro), I saw them as one of the great traditional Congolese bands. Also they were unique in staying together for a quarter century (like the Kinks in London). Their line-up included Elvis Kunku on rhythm guitar, M.P. Cherie on bass, Samy Maracas on drums, Bileku Mpasi as "animator," and of course "Emoro" as the "added attraction."All tracks collected on the following CD.

Orchestre Lipua Lipua

Nyboma Mwan'dido was born December 24, 1952 in Niokoi, a river village in Maindombe, Zaire. At the age of 16 he began singing with Negro Succès, but the death of Bavon Marie Marie effectively ended that band. In 1972 Nyboma recorded "Mbuta" with Bella Bella and it became Song of the Year. In March 1973 Vangu Soki quit the group and Nyboma & Pepe Kalle formed Lipwa Lipwa. Verckys agreed to let the Soki brothers keep the Bella Bella name and gave their instruments to those who stayed. Their first release was "Kamale" (in April 1973) which became Song of the Year in 1973. This was followed with hits like "Mombassa" & "Nkotela." The original splinter group from Bella Bella included Pepe Kalle, Ricos Kinzunga (solo guitar), Kayembe Zeus, Mbubi Malanda and Nyboma. They were joined by Tagar Mulembu Tshibau and Assossa Tshimanga (vocals), Pierre Bissikita was their rhythm guitarist; after a year he was replaced by Vata Mombassa who had played with Vox Africa and Afrizam. In 1975 key members left to form Les Kamale while Lipua Lipua regrouped under rhythm guitarist "Professor" Vata Mombassa. Vata Mombassa continued with a solo career, releasing EN COLERE in 1984 (AR0988). He also collaborated with Dizzy Mandjeku. In 2008 Vata Mombassa was reported as still active in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, while Nyboma was thriving with Kekele and other projects.

Kenyan pressing. Here are the liner notes:THE VERY BEST OF L'ORCHESTRE LIPUA LIPUA (FEATURES "MFUENI'' THE HIT)
The Incredible L'Orchestre Lipua Lipua band celebrated its fifth anniversary last June since when they broke away from Orch. Bella Bella of Soki Vangu to form Orch. Lipua Lipua.
During its early stages orchestre Lipua Lipua was composed of members like Nyboma Muandido, Mulembu Tshibau, Kinzunga (Ricos) and many others and were recording under Vévé editions. It was after a year or so when some of the members decided to form Les Kamale under Nyboma as the leader and Kinzunga as the lead guitarist with Mulembu on the vocals and so Les Kamale was formed.
After that Orchestre Lipua Lipua was reformed now stronger and Vata Mombassa was the new chief. Professor as nick-named by his colleagues for his skill in the rhythm guitar took over the band in 1974, and through his wise and dynamic leadership orchestre Lipua Lipua is proud of being one of the best groups in Africa.
Apart from being the band leader Prof. Vata Mombassa is very much at home with the rhythm guitar and this is the source of the name Professor. Orchestre Lipua Lipua has the best harmonized team of Vocalists led by Kiloto Toko (High pitched voice). Mbubi Malanda one of the founders of the band, Tedia, Nzaya Nzayadio (So-Kizengi) and the newly enrolled vocalist/Composer Kien' Kiesse, all those vocalists are known for their strong compositions.
A step back to Prof. Vata Mombassa who is said to be the busiest man in this band, as a leader he has a tough task, but all the same he has proved a most able leader.
Professor Vata Mombassa's fame did not come through the guitar or his leadership only, but also from his hit after a hit compositions his last one is a good example which is already a world hit the single is entitled "MFUENI" This one he composed on return from a successful tour of west African States. This tour was a great success of Orchestre Lipua Lipua, and their records are said to be selling like hot cakes in West Africa. This long play is a compilation of their greatest Hits including a new track which is quite heavy composed by Maluku entitled ''NAMONA YO WAPI" Simply meaning where do I find you?
With such a track you assured that orchestre Lipua Lipua is there to stay.
JUSTUS M. KASOYA

Orchestre Kamale

Kamale were formed in 1975. The core of the group came from Lipua Lipua, while that group reformed around guitarist Vata Mombasa. The name was a friend of Nyboma's attempt to pronounce the french word "camarade" and he took it as the title of a song which was his first hit with Lipua Lipua. In 1977 Les Kamale represented Zaire at FESTAC in Lagos.

After Kamale broke up, Nyboma joined the African All Stars in Abidjan. He created Kamale Dynamique in 1981 to distinguish the band from the other branch of African All Stars led by Sam Mangwana. Their hits are collected on NYBOMA AND KAMALE DYNAMIQUE (Stern's STCD3023).

Nyboma Muan'dido

Nyboma and Pepe Kalle were probably the most popular singers to come out of Verckys' studio. A three-CD retrospective on the Glenn label covers the early career of Nyboma with Bella Bella, Lipua Lipua and Les Kamale. He started out as a teenager when he quit his job as apprentice electrician to join Baby National of Freddy Malongo and for a while was in Negro Succès of Siongo Bavon Marie Marie. In 1972 he joined Bella Bella of the Soki brothers and by 1973 had scored hits with them which feautred the three voices of Nyboma, Soki Vangu and Pepe Kalle (Kabasele Yampanya. Lipua Lipua was formed by Nyboma with Mulembu, Kinzunga Ricos (solo gtr), Kayembe Zeus, Bissikita (guitar accompanist, who was replaced in 1974 by Vata Mombassa) and others, including Pepe Kalle, who left to form Empire des Bakuba. A look at songwriting credits shows who moved to form Les Kamale with him. Nyboma and Pepe Kalle teamed up in the late 80s for a triumphant reunion album, Moyibi.

In the song "Kamiki" they shout out to Les Kamale. Two volumes of their Super Hits were issued by Verckys in Nairobi. The songwriting credits & liner notes on these suggest a second generation of members had assumed the name by then: Munzola Ngunga (leader, singer), Mfui Mwane, Nkodia Via Nkodia, Shungu, Kanza Bayone (later of Yoka Lokole), Lita Bembo, Bamueniki and Munkala Bebidad. In addition to a Kenyan following they had fans in Nigeria too, after appearing in the Black African Festival in Lagos in 1976. After the core of the band split with guitarist Souza Vangu soon after Festival Lagos to form orch Baya Baya, Adios Alemba and Bakola Keta joined Defao's Big Stars, while leader Muzola Ngunga and guitarist Lele N'Sundi joined Debaba in L'Orch. Historia. For more on Orch Baya Baya see my Congo in Kenya page.

Liner Notes: Orchestre Kiam is not a new name in the music world as when most of us hear the name of this group we are reminded of their Top Singles such as MEMI, KAMIKI, YANGA YANGA -- to name but a few. This group was formed only three years ago but as a result of their efforts they have managed to get themselves a good place in the Top list of best players of Zaire in 1976 and so they were sent to Lagos Nigeria during the Black African Festival.

The name KIAM in its long form means KIAMUANGANA so when you hear this you know undoubtedly that Kiamuangana Mateta -- the Pop star is involved in one way or the other. I should say he advises them in the musical field and arranges orchestration. It is his own band but he doesn't play with them. The group is composed of very special members whose functions apart from playing instruments are known for their compositions -- people like Kanza Rayon, Munzola Ngunga, Bamueniki (Mwana-Moni Afinda), Lita Bembo, Nkodia via Nkodia to name but a few.

This is Kiam's first LP in their Super Hits series and includes the latest and newest hit "Mbale" by Mfui Mwane as well as "Azangai" by Shungu.

The liner notes by journalist Père Ngoy call this "the return of Verckys": It's a strong set with two good new numbers from Verckys, "Dribling ya somo" and "Obaluki." Tracks A1 & 2 are reversed because A2 has the chorus "Dribling ya somo" and a blistering guitar and sax outro, complete with big horn chorus, a trombone solo, and exhortations from the singers.

Note: Is "Monimambu" about the spirit, or Jimmy Monimambo the Congolese singer who moved to East Africa in the 70s? Thierry Mantuika Kobi joined Vévé after leaving OK Jazz in 1987 but rejoined Franco in 1988. A pretty laid-back album in the Paris style (fortunately pre-drum machine) but the dread crappy synth kicks in during the last number.

(EVVI 14D) EVVI presente "Le Seigneur Rochereau" - Mpeve a N'longo(1984)
Mpeve a N'longo (Tabu Ley)
Sima na ngai (Tabu Ley)
Loumousou (Shaba Kahamba)
Bombanda Jamais (Diasi)
Not only are these different tracks from above issue, the title is meaningless. One explanation would be Rochereau rerecorded the title song without Mbilia Bel and added three different tracks for the reissue.

Note: Also includes Bella Bella, Viva la Musica & Etumba na Nguaka with Dindo Yogo, though you have to look really hard to find who is on here. Tshimanga Assosa was also a member of Negro Succès with Nyboma, and went on to star with Orchestre Makassy and form Maquis du Zaire, one of the top bands in Tanzania, which is still extant as Bana Maquis.

Factual info from RetroAfric VINTAGE VERCKYS liner notes, and Ronnie Graham's THE WORLD OF AFRICAN MUSIC. Thanks to Zim Bida for his untiring involvement with the discographies, Juan Carlos Mercado Rios, Ronald Z, Papa Mundele, and the usual suspects.

The first three tracks previously appeared on Sono CD36599 Bankoko Baboyi 1998; 4 is new to CD; #5, "Baluti" & "Bilobela" appeared on Sono 360 106, CD8478 and RETRO15CD; 6 & 7 also appeared on 360 106 and CD8478; "Vivita" & "Kalala" (originally collected on the Sonafric LP Grands Succès vol 3) were collected on CD8478; the latter also made RETRO15.

"Suaze" & "Mombassa" were on GM312002; "Fuga Fuga" was on the second volume of that series GM 312003; "Maman Isola," "Libaku mabe," "Kombe Dilu" & "Massa" were all on the Naissance de l'orch Empire Bakuba CD Ngoyarto NG085; "Nzumba" and "Yoka choc" were on the Sono LP 360 073 (Clearly there are not enough Maquisards CDs in the world!) and finally the Negro Succès track is an anomaly because according to my research it is an editions Boboto track from 1969, and was gathered on the CD 36537, so I am unsure of the Verckys connection.